$1.09 MILLION KELVIN GROVE PREP CENTRE SETS TEACHING STANDARD

A $1.09 million Prep Centre at Kelvin Grove State College is setting a new standard in training Queensland’s early childhood teachers, Premier Peter Beattie announced at the opening today.

“This is a state-of-the-art facility for early childhood teacher training and it will also be home to some 50 children when the Prep Year starts in Queensland schools next year,” Mr Beattie said.

“Features of the centre include video streaming and an observation booth for pre-service teachers and academics from Queensland University of Technology so they can observe lessons.

“This provides a unique opportunity to develop best practice approaches to early childhood teaching.

“The centre also has great facilities for the kids who will be attending Prep for the first time in 2007, with two classrooms, a covered outdoor activities area and a playground.

“The classrooms have been specially designed to make Prep enjoyable for young students by offering an environment that encourages learning through play.”

The young students will be walking through a new colourful entrance to Kelvin Grove State College which was today officially opened by the Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford.

“This project was an initiative of teachers and parents and has provided a tremendous learning opportunity for 300 Kelvin Grove State Junior College students,” Mr Welford said.

“The Gateway Project enabled the students to work with artist Kevin Todd to develop a computer art design for the new gates,” he said.

“State Government was pleased to supplement the $5,000 raised by the local school community with a $15,000 grant to enable the project to get off the ground.

“The aluminium figures on the new gates depict schooling today, symbolising the progression of education from a formal, traditional style to a ‘hands-on interactive philosophy’ that is aligned to the current Early Years Curriculum.

“As well as providing the College with a colourful and interesting new entrance, the Tank Street gateway continues a school tradition as the three existing gates at the JuniorSchool reflect the 130-year-old history of Kelvin Grove State College.”

September 21, 2006

Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500

Minister’s Office 32371072